Chronicle Online

Connor Brown: the right-back played a big part in Athleticís 10-match unbeaten run at the end of the season.

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Done deal

Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 10 June 2014

CONNOR Brown is to continue flourishing at Boundary Park.

The player has signed a new one-year deal to stay with Athletic.

The contract runs to the end of next season - a season in which Athletic hope to make their presence felt in the league.

The 22-year-old right back — the last surviving signing of manager Johnson’s predecessor Paul Dickov — put in an excellent run of performances towards the end of last season.

The Sheffield-born defender has made 58 appearances for Athletic over two seasons, and was an integral part of the team that went unbeaten for the final 10 matches of the campaign.

The former Sheffield United starlet was part of a backline that kept five clean sheets in that run, which helped Johnson to confirm his intention to offer the new deal.

Brown said: “I am delighted to sign the contract; I can’t wait to get started next season. Towards the end of last season we got a steady defence together and with Paul Rachubka, Adam Lockwood and Joseph Mills having signed, we can only go from strength to strength.”

Brown’s signing takes the number of senior defenders on Athletic’s books to six, with a professional deal open to teenage left-back Jack Truelove. Athletic were also expected to complete the formalities of signing of a new player this afternoon.

DAMIEN Duff could be facing Athletic in a pre-season friendly after agreeing a one–year deal to join Melbourne City on a free transfer.

The 35–year–old, who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea and earned 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland, left Fulham at the end of last season after spending five years at Craven Cottage.

Duff joins ahead of the 2014–15 A–League campaign as Melbourne City’s 18th confirmed squad member, with speculation set to continue over further high profile arrivals at the club.

Athletic play City, who changed their name from Melbourne Heart in a move that aligns the Australian club with sister teams Manchester City and New York City, at Boundary Park on July 19.